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April 7, 2026
Think It’s the Bees? Think Again
Proven Hive Performance Suggests Auckland’s Climate and Crop Conditions Are the Key Limiters. Every year, Zonda receives calls from growers saying “the bees aren’t working” and requesting new hives. While hives are sometimes replaced, these cases consistently show that the bumblebees are performing as expected. The real challenge? Humidity, Auckland weather, and plant conditions.
April 7, 2026
Energy Resilience for Greenhouse Horticulture: Electricity at the Core (not just for greenhouse horticulture but NZ Inc?)
Real opportunity for long-term resilience lies in electricity and bioenergy for growers
April 7, 2026
Signify and University of British Columbia collaborate to further explore feasibility of sustainable year-round greenhouse pepper production
Trial paves the way for growers to capitalize on the market opportunity to provide locally grown bell peppers during the winter months.
April 7, 2026
Geothermal Strategy released MBIE
From the Ground Up: A strategy to unlock New Zealand's geothermal potential - March 2026
April 7, 2026
Proposed import requirements for fresh blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) for human consumption
Make your submission
April 7, 2026
The 2026 Hydroponic Farmers Federation Conference (Melbourne) Update
Fast approaching event: Final reminder to register for this important event.
March 23, 2026
Bringing the Sector Together: Covered Cropping NZ Launches
Greater collaboration, stronger representation, and better use of levy funding sit behind the new joint approach from Tomatoes New Zealand and Vegetables New Zealand Incorporated. There has been a call, for several years, that TNZ and VNZI should work together more closely as there are so many similarities amongst the greenhouse sector, including the growers themselves.
March 23, 2026
Energy Under Pressure: Growers Invited to Pukekohe Open Day
Join Tomatoes New Zealand and Vegetables New Zealand on 14 May for site visits and supplier discussions showcasing real-world energy solutions, cost savings, and practical pathways for the season ahead.
March 23, 2026
The Carbon Difference Between LNG and Bioenergy: Does it Matter
As domestic gas supply declines and dry-year risks persist, New Zealand faces an important energy question. The challenge is not simply finding a replacement fuel, it is choosing an approach that supports long-term energy security while also reducing our carbon exposure.
March 23, 2026
Plant-optimized spectrum to maximize photosynthetic efficiency and productivity:
27% higher yield and 40% energy savings in tomato greenhouse drive Woodeumgee Farm to repeat investment in Philips horticulture LED solution
March 23, 2026
Source Advances Harvest Forecasting for Tomatoes with Next Generation AI Model
Fundamental changes to how the model learns and handles grower input mean significantly less manual work and meaningfully better accuracy.
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February 10, 2026
Coal / Biofuel Boiler for Sale – 4.5MW
Morrow Engineering (Christchurch made) boiler unit available for sale in Karaka.
February 23, 2026
How blotchy ripening (green spots), a troublesome potential quality issue in this high-yielding variety, can be reduced by adjusting the nutrient balance – specifically the potassium and nitrogen ratios.
Low-heat, full-LED trial on track to achieve higher yields and better quality in larger truss tomatoes
March 10, 2026
Australia’s horticulture sector has delivered a year of record‑breaking performance
Highest production value to date of $18.4 billion, up 6% on the previous year.
February 23, 2026
Dissolved Oxygen – The Hidden Driver of Root Performance in Greenhouse Crops
In high-tech greenhouse tomato and cucumber production, we carefully monitor EC, pH, radiation sums and irrigation strategy. However, one parameter that is often overlooked — yet can significantly influence plant performance — is dissolved oxygen (DO) in the nutrient solution.
February 23, 2026
New Zealand’s 2026 Energy Stock-Take – Part 2 – Natural Gas
New Zealand’s Nord Stream moment. That sucking-straw sound at the bottom of the glass and suddenly a gaping hole emerges in the New Zealand energy landscape
February 10, 2026
Day-Length Decreasing = Time to Adjust Your Water Content
Amid the usual distractions of modern growing life, it’s easy to forget that Autumn 2026 is just around the corner. As day length shortens, now is the critical moment to review and adjust your irrigation strategy. Unlike previous years that brought prolonged dry spells or extreme heat, this year’s weather has been variable. Across the country, many regions are already seeing heavy rainfall and several cloudy days in a row. While this is great for replenishing water reservoirs, it also creates challenges once the sun returns: crops may wilt, and the temptation to overwater is high. My advice: keep substrate water content and EC close to pre-cloudy levels.
